Self-computing credit card telephone paystation method and system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing a call from a credit card telephone paystation reads magnetic encoded data on a credit card and produces a credit card identification signal. The credit card identification signal is identified as valid prior to enabling the telephone call. Call information data is stored at the telephone paystation including the credit card identification signal, the called number, the time and date of the call and the call duration. The stored call data is transmitted at periodic intervals to a central billing computer upon request by the central billing computer.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A method for processing a telephone call by a credit card telephone paystation, comprising the steps of: reading a magnetic credit card to produce an identification signal;   comparing said identification signal with a plurality of predetermined stored signals within the credit card telephone paystation;   detecting a match of said compared signals;   identifying a valid identification signal responsive to said detected match;   enabling the teleophone call after a valid identification signal is identified;   detecting a number dialed;   detecting a call connection signal and a time of occurrence thereof;   detecting a call disconnection signal and a time of occurrence thereof;   determining a duration of the telephone call;   storing call data within the credit card telephone paystation, said call data including said detected number dialed, said time of occurrence of said detected call connection signal, said determined call duration and said identification signal;   receiving an incoming predetermined signal from a central computer, said central computer generating and transmitting said predetermined signal at a selected time and being off-line until said selected time;   comparing said received incoming signal with a stored data request signal;   ignoring said incoming signal if said comparing signals do not match; and   transmitting said stored call data if said compared signals match.   
     
     
       2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing messages audible to a user instructing said user to insert a credit card for reading, indicating said credit card is being evaluated for authorization, informing said user whether said credit card is valid, and instructing said user to dial the desired number. 
     
     
       3. A telephone paystation comprising: means for reading a magnetic credit card and to produce a credit identification signal,   means for comparing said identification signal with a plurality of predetermined stored signals within the credit card telephone paystation;   means for detecting a match of said compared signals;   means for identifying a valid identification signal responsve to said detected match;   means responsive to said identified valid identification signal for enabling the telephone call;   means for detecting a number dialed;   means for detecting a call connection signal and a time of occurrence thereof;   means for detecting a call disconnection signal and a time of occurrence thereof;   means for determining a duration of the telephone call;   means for storing said credit card identification signal and call information data, said call information data including said detected number dialed, said time of occurrence of said detected call connection signal and said determined call duration;   means for receiving an incoming predetermined data request signal from a central computer, said central computer generating and transmitting said predetermined signal at a selected time and being off-line until said selected time;   means for comparing said received predetermined data request signal with a stored data request signal to identify a match; and   means responsive to said identified match for transmitting said stored credit card identificatiion signal and call information data to said central computer.